Filling yarn guide control

ABSTRACT

A control device for deactivating a normally pivotable filling yarn guide to prevent filling yarn from being presented to and wrapped on a continuously rotating filling storage cone during the formation of fringe on the shuttleless loom.

United States Patent Inventors Albert [1. Savoie Slatersville; Bertrand E. Guindon, Cumberland, both of, R.l.

Appl. No. 877,994

Filed Nov. 19,1969

Patented July 20, I971 Assignee North American Rockwell Corporation Pittshurg, Pa.

FILLING YARN GUIDE CONTROL 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 139/122 lnt. Cl D03d 47/34 Field of Search 139/122- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,280,853 10/1966 Brown et al .t [39/122 3.3%,755 8/1968 Nichols et a]. l39/l22 3.411.547 l 1/1968 Bucher 139/122 Primary Examinerl'lenry S. Jaudon Altorneys-John R. Bronaugh, George R. Powers and Floyd S.

Levison ABSTRACT: A control device for deactivating a normally pivotable filling yam guide to prevent filling yarn from being presented to and wrapped on a continuously rotating filling storage cone during the formation of fringe on the shuttleless loom.

FILLING YARN GUIDE CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to shuttleless looms of the type in which filling is supplied from a stationary source and is not carried back and forth through the warp shed by a shuttle or carrier member. In particular the invention pertains to an improved arrangement for facilitating the formation of fringe or unwoven bands in certain weaves such as terry fabric wherein the filling carriers are caused to be inserted and withdrawn from the warp sheds without introducing filling yarn.

2. Description of the Prior Art In shuttleless looms to which the instant invention is applicable each pick of filling is inserted by two reciprocating carrier members one of which is commonly referred to as the inserting carrier and the other as the filling receiving or ex tending carrier.

Certain US. Pat. illustrate and describe this type of shuttleless loom and for a more detailed description of such looms attention is hereby directed to US. Pats. Nos. 2,604,123; 2,641 ,285; and 2,654,399.

To present the filling yarn to the inserting carrier at a smooth, even and substantially continuous rate of speed, these shuttleless looms were provided with a filling furnishing mechanism. This mechanism includes a continuously rotating filling storage cone disposed intermediate the supply of filling and that point where it is picked up by the inserting carrier and projected into the warp shed. Additionally the mechanism includes a pivotably thread guide that is arranged to function in close proximity with the storage cone to the extent of positioning the filling for pick up by said storage cone. A portion of each pick of filling is wound on the storage cone and a portion is drawn directly from the supply source and for a detailed description of this mechanism attention is directed to US. Pats. Nos. 3,280,853; and 3,393,709.

To form unwoven bands or fringe during the weaving of certain fabrics such as terry, it is necessary that a number of the looms mechanisms be deactivated to permit the loom to continue running without introducing picks of filling yarn. When the desired amount of fringe is formed, the deactivated mechanisms are activated and normal weaving is again resumed.

Since only a portion of each pick of filling is wound on and thence withdrawn from the storage cone during normal weaving, it is necessary that a means be provided to control the filling to prevent it from being wound upon said storage cone during the formation of fringe. Without such a means, filling yarn would build up on the storage cone and could not be withdrawn therefrom when normal weaving was resumed. This condition would result in breakage of the filling as the inserting carrier attempted to introduce the first pick of filling following the completion of fringe formation and the sub sequent stoppage of the loom by the regular stop motion which is one of the mechanisms reactivated. Considerable time would then be required to remove the excess filling from the storage cone and reset the loom to resume weaving.

The filling yarn guide according to the instant invention provides a means for preventing the winding of filling yarn on the storage cone during the formation of fringe. This means is accomplished by the dictates of a pattern control unit which upon indication to commence the formation of fringe is effective in locking the pivotable thread guide in its most remote position from the storage cone thereby positioning the filling yarn out of contact with the rotating storage cone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The filling yarn guide controlled by the present invention is caused to pivot toward and away from the rotating filling storage cone by cam controlled reciprocating linkage. A spring-biased latch member is pivotably assembled in close proximity with the cam-controlled reciprocating linkage and by a further linkage arrangement said latch member is adapted to receive the dictates of a patterned controller unit. During normal weaving the linkage from the patterned controller unit holds the latch member in a raised position. Upon an indication for the formation of fringe the latch member is released and its biasing force pulls it downwardly to a position of engagement with a locking pin fixed to and which extends laterally from the side of the reciprocating linkage. The locking pin is positioned so as to cause a cessation of movement of the reciprocating linkage when it is engaged by the latch member and is effective in holding said linkage in a position unaffected by its control cam. In this position the filling yarn guide is held at its most remote distance from the storage cone which prevents the filling yarn from making contact with said cone and from being wound thereon.

When a predetermined amount of fringe has been formed the controller unit by means of the interconnecting linkage is effective in returning the latch member to its raised position which releases the reciprocating linkage for activation by its control cam. Activation of the reciprocating linkage pivots the filling yarn guide causing a portion of each pick to again be wound on and withdrawn from the storage cone and normal weaving is resumed.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a means for preventing the buildup of filling yarn on the storage cone during the formation of unwoven bands or so-callcd fringe.

A further and more specific object is that of providing a means which upon indication to form fringe will automatically position and hold the filling in spaced relation to the storage cone and upon the completion of said fringe will automatically reposition said filling to permit the return to normal weaving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the upper right hand side of a loom, as seen looking from the front thereof showing the means according to the invention for holding the filling yarn in spaced relation to the storage cone, and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. l and on a slightly larger scale showing the latching member of the invention in a position to permit pivotable movement of the filling yarn guide.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment As the general construction and operation of this type of loom is well known and familiar to those skilled in the art, and as the invention is entirely concerned with the filling furnishing mechanism, it is only considered necessary here to illustrate and describe those parts of a loom directly concerned with a preferred form of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 part ofa shuttleless loom is illustrated including a loomside with a tape guide 11 fixedly attached thereto which serves to guide a filling inserting carrier 12 as the latter is inserted into sheds of warp threads 13 and withdrawn therefrom. This inserting carrier 12 is suitably attached to the free end of a flexible tape member (not shown) which during loom operation is caused to be wrapped about and unwrapped from an oscillating tape wheel (not shown) which provides the means for projecting the carrier 12 into the shed and to withdraw the same therefrom. This tape wheel is housed and journaled in a casing 14, and being disposed at the side of the loom, it is adapted to function in timed sequence with the weaving cycle.

A filling control housing 15 is supported by the forward and upper surface of the loom frame as at 116 (FIG. 1) and supports a number of rotatable came members therein one of which is shown and identified by numeral 17. The conventional form of friction device is utilized and includes a mounting bracket 18 the forward end of which is fixed to the side of the filling control housing by means of cap screws l9 and 20. Extending rearwardly the opposite end of the mounting bracket 18 supports a friction plate bracket 21 on which a pair of vertically disposed spring-biased friction plates 22 and 23 is assembled and which serves to keep the filling yarn 24 under tension as it is caused to pass therebetween.

A top motion support bracket 25 assembles on the upper surface of the loomside at a point intermediate the front and rearward ends thereof, and extending upwardly therefrom, its upper surface supports the usual sheave members (not shown) that assist inthe shedding of the harness frames 26. 7

Above the spring-biased friction plates 22 and 23 the support bracket has attached to its inner side, by any suitable means, a generally U-shaped support member 27 having an inner surface that conforms to the configuration of the support bracket 25. The rear leg of this U-shaped support member 27 (not shown) extends outwardly to the side of the loom and provides a means for rotatably supporting a filling storage cone 28 which is rotated by any suitable form of continuous drive means by a driving belt 29. The forward leg of support member 27 is bifurcated and extends from the inner forward side of the support bracket 25 across a substantial portion of the front surface of said bracket.

A pivotable filling yarn guide generally indicated by numeral 30 (FIGS. 1) includes a double-armed lever 31 assembled between the bifurcated portion of the forward leg of the support member 27 by means of a pin 32. The ends of pin 32 are seated in aligned apertures provided in the bifurcated portion of the forward leg and with the remaining portion of said pin passing through the hub of the double armed lever 31.

The double armed lever 31 includes a first arm 33 extending from its hub and supports at the free end thereof a downwardly directed guide plate 34 having a centrally disposed tube member 35 through which the filling thread 24 is caused to pass.

The guide plate 34 with its tube member 35 is movable toward and away from the forward end of the filling storage cone 28 by means of reciprocable linkage being pivotally attached to a second arm 36 which extends from the hub of the double armed lever 31.

This reciprocable linkage includes a horizontally disposed connecting link 37 one end of which is pivotally attached to the second arm 36 and extending toward the front of the loom, the opposite end thereof is fixedly attached to an extension 38 on the inner end of a cam follower generally indicated by numeral 39 as at 40. The shank portion 41 of the cam follower member is supported and guided for reciprocating movement in a guide block 42 that is suitably attached to the upper and inner surface of the filling control housing 15. The forward end of the cam follower is bifurcated as at 43 and by means of a pin 44 a cam follower roll 45 is rotatably supported therein.

The rotatable cam member 17 carried by and supported in the filling control housing 15 is effective in causing the cam follower 39 to be pushed in the direction of the indicating arrow 46 in FIGS. 1 and 2. A coil spring 47 continually urges the cam follower roll 45 into contact with the outer periphery of cam 17 by being attached at one end to that point where the connecting link 37 attaches to the cam follower extension 38. The opposite end of this spring attaches to a spring bracket 48 (HO. 1) that assembles on the filling control housing 15 adjacent to the guide block 42.

The combination of cam member 17 and coil spring 47 causes reciprocation of the cam follower 39 and the connecting link 37 which in turn pivots the double armed lever 31 to and fro causing the guide plate 34 and its centrally disposed tube member 35 to be pivoted into close proximity with and away from the filling storage cone 28. This pivotal movement of the guide plate 34 is arranged to pivot in timed sequence with the weaving cycle so that as the tube member 35 is moved into close proximity with the filling storage cone 28 a portion of each pick of filling yarn 24 is picked up by and wrapped about said storage cone. As the tube member 35 is pivoted away from the storage cone the filling yarn wrapped on the latter is withdrawn and is carried into the warp shed in a known manner by the inserting carrier 12 which is also effective in withdrawing the remaining portion of each pick direct from its source of supply.

When the cam follower 39 and connecting link 37 are pushed rearwardly by the action of cam member 17, the double-armed lever 31 is pivoted in a direction to move the guide plate 34 and tube member 35 away from the storage cone. When these elements are caused to move forwardly by the action of coil spring 47 the lever 31 is caused to pivot in a direction which places the guide plate and tube member in close proximity with the storage cone.

To prevent the filling yarn from being wrapped on the storage cone, the apparatus according to the invention provides a means for holding the guide plate 34 and its tube member 35 in that position most remote from said storage cone. This apparatus includes a vertically disposed latch support bracket 49 which is fixedly attached to the side of the mounting bracket 18 by means ofa cap screw 50. A latch 51 is pivotably mounted on the latch support bracket 49 by means of a bolt 52 and nut 53. This latch 51 is spring biased in a downwardly direction by means ofa coil spring 54 one end of which attaches to a pin 55 that extends outwardly from the side of said latch and the opposite end is attached to a pin 56 which extends outwardly from the side of the latch support bracket 49. The latch 51 is provided with a hooked portion 57 and as shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to engage a latch pin 58 that assembles in and protrudes outwardly from the side of extension 38.

The latch 51 further includes a linkage connector 59 which is pivotally attached thereto by means of a bolt 60. The control linkage attached to the connector 59 as at 61 (FIG. 2) is of the Bowden wire type and is identified by numeral 62. The opposite end of this Bowden wire linkage 62 is attached to and controlled by the dictates of a controller unit 63 of the type such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,158.

In operation the latch 51 is held in a raised position such as shown in FIG. 2 during normal weaving where picks of filling yarn are inserted into each shed opening. During this time the cam follower 39 and connecting link 37 are reciprocating to and fro to pivot the guide plate 34 and its tube member 35 toward and away from the filling storage cone.

Fringe or nonwoven bands are formed in accordance with some desired pattern and when the controller unit receives such an indication, it releases its hold on the latch 51 permitting the latter to pivot downwardly under the biasing force of coil spring 54. When the cam follower 39 moves rearwardly the hooked portion 57 of the latch 51 will engage the latch pin 58 as shown in FIG. 1 and is effective in holding said cam follower in its rearmost position where it is unaffected by the rotation of cam member 17. With the cam follower in this position, the guide plate 34 and its tube member 35 are held in that position spaced from the storage cone 28 and prevents the filling yarn from contacting and being wound upon said storage cone.

After forming a predetermined amount of fringe, the controller unit be means of its control linkage 62 pulls the latch 51 upwardly clear of latch pin 58 as shown in FIG. 2 and coil spring 47 is effective in returning and maintaining the cam follower roll in contact with the outer periphery of the cam member 17. Normal weaving is then resumed and the guide plate 34 with its tube member 35 are again caused to pivot to and fro to permit a portion of each pick of filling to be wound on and withdrawn from the storage cone.

The embodiments of the invention in which we claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

1. In a loom of the type having an external stationary filling yarn supply source, means for inserting picks of filling yarn from said source into sheds of warp threads, an intermediate continuously rotatable storage cone with transferring means comprising a pivotable filling yarn guide for transferring said filling from its source to said storage cone, cam means, a reciprocable linkage operable by said cam means for moving said yarn guide from a position in close proximity with to a position spaced from said storage cone to effect wrapping of a portion of each pick of filling on said cone and the complete withdrawal therefrom, a patterned controller unit with means for transmitting the dictates of said controller unit to selectively control the operation of said filling yarn guide, and means operable by said transmitting means for holding said filling yarn guide in a position to prevent filling yarn from being wrapped on said storage cone.

2. The filling yarn guide control according to claim 1 wherein said means includes a pivotable latch member interconnected with said patterned controller unit by said control linkage and movable between a released and locking position 6 for holding said reciprocable linkage in a position unintluenced by said cam means.

3 The filling yarn guide control according to claim 2 wherein said means further includes a locking pin fixed to said reciprocable linkage and disposed so as to be engaged by said latch member to hold said linkage in an inoperative position.

4. The filling yarn guide control according to claim 3 wherein said latch member is spring biased in a direction to engage said locking pin. 

1. In a loom of the type having an external stationary filling yarn supply source, means for inserting picks of filling yarn from said source into sheds of warp threads, an intermediate continuously rotatable storage cone with transferring means comprising a pivotable filling yarn guide for transferring said filling from its source to said storage cone, cam means, a reciprocable linkage operable by said cam means for moving said yarn guide from a position in close proximity with to a position spaced from said storage cone to effect wrapping of a portion of each pick of filling on said cone and the complete withdrawal therefrom, a patterned controller unit with means for transmitting the dictates of said controller unit to selectively control the operation of said filling yarn guide, and means operable by said transmitting means for holding said filling yarn guide in a position to prevent filling yarn from being wrapped on said storage cone.
 2. The filling yarn guide control according to claim 1 wherein said means includes a pivotable latch member interconnected with said patterned controller unit by said control linkage and movable between a released and locking position for holding said reciprocable linkage in a position uninfluenced by said cam means. 3 The filling yarn guide control according to claim 2 wherein said means further includes a locking pin fixed to said reciprocable linkage and disposed so as to be engaged by said latch member to hold said linkage in an inoperative position.
 4. The filling yarn guide control according to claim 3 wherein said latch member is spring biased in a direction to engage said locking pin. 